Q : I'm working on finishing a one room pine cabin. I'm pretty much set on everything but (there is always a but), I was wondering if you knew of something I could use for insulation that is really cheap and/or free, and not that gross pink insulation. The cabin is located in the Main...

Q: Three little pigs problem here. I have five acres of lava stones. I need to build a construction shed. First I made stone pillars with the intent to connect them with fencing and put on a metal roof. I reinforced them with rebar, but did not make deep footings and I used some volca...

The solar-heated hot tub and water fountain are finally done! It took me about seven years and much head-scratching to complete this central feature of our house. Some of the elements have been in place for years, such as the large plastic stock watering tank that would serve as the t...

There is a whole class of cement that was very popular in the days before the invention and manufacture of Portland cement quickly replaced its use. Generally classified as magnesium-based cement, this material was used in historic times, dating back to ancient times in Europe, India,...

Building with Shipping Containers by Kelly Hart An idea whose time seems to have arrived is the use of stockpiled shipping containers as modular units for building homes. Because of the balance of trade in the United States, these hefty steel boxes are piling up in ports around the co...

The Earthship concept is the brainchild of Michael Reynolds, who has written several books on the topic. Near Taos New Mexico, where he has his Earthship Biotecture business, are whole communities of earthships. The basic earthship design incorporates substantially bermed, passive sol...

Thirteen Principles of Sustainable Architecture by Kelly Hart As "consumers" we are frequently confronted with life style decisions that can impact our environment. There are a few choices in this life that can make a big difference in what the quality of life will be for those who fo...

Related:

Karl's Root Cellar from omelays.blogspot.com This is the begining of our root cellar. Our neighbor came over with his back hoe tractor. He dug the whole thing in a couple of hours. The roots were amazing. I could have never dug the thing by hand. He wouldn't accept cash for the work. ...